Union-Backed Super PAC Supports Republicans

But one relatively small, union-backed super PAC was formed with the purpose of giving pro-labor Republicans a voice.

It’s also an example of how supposedly partisan groups are able to siphon money to the other side without appearing to do so.

The Lunch Pail Republicans had its roots in the Indiana labor scene before expanding to Illinois. Now, in its first election cycle, the group has spent more than $678,000 in in races across the country, favoring exclusively Republican candidates running for House and Senate seats.

“There are people that actually belong to unions [who] are Republican if you look at the numbers,” Jim Sullivan, the president of Lunch Pail Republicans, said in an interview with OpenSecrets Blog. “We’re not going to vote against our own interests, but there are a lot of Republicans that people who belong to unions support.”

Until the third quarter, the only contributor to the Lunch Pail Republicans was the national IUOE and its local 150 chapter (to which the national branch contributes $100,000). Although the IUOE supports mostly Democrats, it does not do so in the races the Lunch Pail Republicans are involved in. The 150 branch supports mostly Republican candidates.

In addition to contributing to the Lunch Pail Republicans, the IOUE is also a donor to House Majority PAC, Majority PAC and ALF-CIO Workers’ Voice Union. Some of the expenditures of those liberal groups contradict those of the Lunch Pail organization, with House Majority PAC supporting seven Democrats running against Lunch Pail-backed candidates.

Working for Working Americans super PAC, an independent expenditure committee funded by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, contributed $250,000 to the Lunch Pail Republicans for the first time in the third quarter. It also contributed $2 million to Majority PAC and $1 million to House Majority PAC over the same time period.

Both the IUOE and Working for Working Americans usually give to liberal super PACs and candidates; giving to a PAC that supports Republicans is an anomaly for both of them.

Yet through the Lunch Pail Republicans, they support 16 Republicans across eight states, mostly concentrated in Illinois.

The Lunch Pail Republicans spent its largest chunk of change, $110,090, supporting Republican incumbent Adam Kinzinger, who’s running in Illinois’ 16th District. While Kinzinger has raised almost $2 million, his opponent, Wanda Rohl, hasn’t broken $30,000, and Kinzinger is expected to win easily. In his past term, Kinzinger voted with Republicans 91% of the time, according to the Washington Post.

Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.), the beneficiary of $72,571 in Lunch Pail spending, is in a far closer race, and has received support from teachers’ unions as well.

Media Contact

Viveca Novak
(202) 354-0111
press@crp.org

Search

Archives

Categories

Count Cash & Make Change.

OpenSecrets.org is your nonpartisan guide to money's influence on U.S. elections and
public policy. Whether you're a voter, journalist, activist, student or interested citizen,
use our free site to shine light on your government.